Psalms 35:14 (KJV)

What does Psalms 35:14 mean?

Psalms 35:14 describes how the writer, David, acted with deep care and sorrow for someone who was in trouble, treating that person as if he were a close friend or even a brother. David says he grieved so deeply for this person that it was like mourning the loss of his own mother.

David is speaking about his own actions toward people who later became his enemies. He is explaining that, even when they were in distress, he showed them kindness and heartfelt compassion, not just polite concern. The verse uses strong family language to show how genuine and personal David’s feelings were, highlighting the depth of his empathy and the pain he felt on their behalf.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 35:14

• "Behaved" (הָלַךְ, halakh): This word often means "to walk" or "to conduct oneself." Here, it stresses that David’s actions were deliberate and ongoing, not just a passing feeling.
• "Friend" (רֵעַ, re'a): This word means a close companion or neighbor, showing David’s sense of personal connection.
• "Brother" (אָח, ach): Refers to a literal brother, underlining the family-level loyalty and affection David showed.
• "Bowed down" (שָׁחַח, shakhakh) and "heavily" (קָדַר, qadar): These words together describe a posture and feeling of deep mourning or being weighed down with grief.
• "Mourneth" (אָבֵל, avel): This word is used for someone in deep mourning, especially after a death, which helps us see just how intense David’s sorrow was.
• "Mother" (אֵם, em): Mentioning mourning for a mother highlights the most personal and heartfelt kind of grief in that culture.

Why Psalms 35:14 matters

• This verse clears up any idea that David’s kindness was shallow or just for show; he truly felt deep pain for those who later turned against him.
• The verse emphasizes the contrast between David’s compassion and the way he was treated in return, which is a major theme in the whole psalm.
• Understanding the strong family language helps us see the depth of betrayal David experienced, making the rest of his prayer for justice more understandable.